GLAND, Switzerland (21 September, 2016) – The impossible is now inevitable. The global climate deal approved in Paris in December last year, will come into force in 2016, according to United National Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
Today the agreement reached – in record time – one target required for implementation; and the other target is in sight by the end of this year.
The Secretary General said that 60 countries representing about 48 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions have ratified the agreement. 55 countries representing 55 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions is required for the entry into force of the agreement.
Commenting on this, WWF’s interim leader for Climate and Energy Regine Guenther said: “It is remarkable to see what political will can achieve. And now the real work must begin. The agreement must be turned into actions on the ground for real change because, as we head towards the end of what is likely to be the hottest year in recorded history, we know we have a brief window of opportunity to make a difference. We must not lose that by delaying action. We need the funds, the capacity, the programmes, the plans and the authority to immediately implement and scale up efforts to combat climate change, and we need to see country climate pledges scaled up.”
The next immediate steps are that countries must now move to adopt measures in the International Civil Aviation Organisation, the International Maritime Organisation and support the amendment to the Montreal Protocol that will see further global action on capping and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. “We expect nothing less from them,” said Guenther.
© United Nations